Re: Massive data loss after changing Sync Set

The sync set tells Sage ACT! which contacts you want entered into Outlook, changing the sync set tells it you now desire this different set of contacts. By design, it will remove from Outlook the contacts no longer included in the sync set.

Re: Massive data loss after changing Sync Set

"Great example of why 'testing' should be done in a test environment, not on live data - especially if you are not sure how things will behave."

In an ideal world this would be true.

But in the real world:

This is a "great example" of what ACT should do better or entirely remove: Outlook integration. People everywhere are struggling with this and Sage should stop advertising and producing a crippled integration altogether.

A basic feature such as "keep contact in Outlook if deleted from ACT" is still missing: a full Outlook backup must be performed before making any change you make in ACT. Quite tiresome and time-consuming.

Sure, a 'testing' phase is needed for such products. But the typical ACT Pro client (small enterprises) cannot invest too much in this and many things are just considered as being reliable. A big mistake for this solution.

Finally, could you please define test environment? Because that would imply a new PC, with an Outlook license for a test user, with an ACT license for 'testing'.

This might become very expensive unless I missed something along the way.

When working with features that will impact multiple records, if one is not absolutely sure how the systems involved will behave, implementing changes that affect REAL data is a highly risky action. Not an ACT! issue here... Sometimes the software may have flaws, sometimes things just don't work the way our mind does. Doesn't reall matter if there are unexpected consequences.

Real world.

Take a look at Oracle Virtual Box - it is open source - i.e. FREE - and is a good solution for creating a "sandbox" that allows you to observe how things work, without risking the destruction of potentially PRICELESS business intelligence.